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Theoretical and Methodological Challenges in Modern Research on the "Economics of Happiness"

Identificator
EDN: LGWWWW ; УДК: 101.1:316+17.036.24
Authors
Khoruzhaya Svetlana Vladimirovna, Doctor of Philosophy, professor of the Department of History and Political Science, Kuban State Agrarian University n. a. I. T. Trubilin. Russia, Krasnodar. ORCID: 0000-0003-1257-3415. E-mail: svetlanakhoruzhaya@mail.ru ; Sukhoverkhov Anton Vladimirovich, PhD in Philosophy, associate professor of the Department of Philosophy, Kuban State Agrarian University n. a. I. T. Trubilin. Russia, Krasnodar. ORCID: 0000-0002-0357-4013. E-mail: sukhoverkhov.ksau@gmail.com
Journal
HERALD OF VYATKA STATE UNIVERSITY №3 (157), 2025
Section
PHILOSOPHICAL SCIENCES
Pages
48-60
Abstract
The research compares traditional philosophical and modern socioeconomic studies of happiness. It demonstrates that modern research is characterized by externalism in explaining and understanding the nature of happiness. Through the analysis of respondents' subjective assessments, researchers identify external factors that determine or contribute to happiness. The study critically examines the Happy Planet Index and the World Happiness Report. It argues that these indices reflect distinct phenomena, which are not directly related to happiness. Based on recent research, the philosophical, cultural, and national characteristics of happiness in high-ranking countries are analyzed. It is proposed that happiness in Scandinavian countries is characterized by calmness (i.e., comfort and tranquility), while in Latin American countries, it is linked to joy and entertainment. The work also examines various paradoxes of happiness. In particular, it explores why economic and technological development, as well as higher salaries, fail to increase subjective well-being, and how intelligence and happiness are interconnected. The study summarizes current research on how factors such as age, gender, marital status, and country of residence influence happiness. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the need to integrate traditional philosophical and internalist approaches to happiness into frameworks for sustainable societal development. These approaches posit that happiness is shaped not only by possessions, the environment, or the economy, but also by internal factors such as education, positive thinking, and cultivating a constructive attitude towards things or events. It is also noted that data on the level of happiness may reflect not only the sociology, economics, and philosophy of happiness in a particular country, but also the natural (genetic) predisposition of people to happiness.
Keywords
theories of happiness economics of happiness utilitarianism eudemonism hedonism happiness indices theories of sustainable development
Recieved
02.04.2025
Published
16.07.2026

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